Yesterday (Sunday August 24th) saw the completion of league matches in both divisions of the Suffolk Coastal Petanque League and the shifting of positions right up to the final boule in the Deben Division.

Hoxne PC take the divisional title in the Blyth Division whilst the winner-takes-all battle for runners-up spot went to Southwold using home advantage to full effect with a victory over North Cove, who had recently come into good form.

Going into these matches any two from three teams could qualify as runners-up including the non-playing Aldeburgh Boules Club, with Hollesley already having qualified as divisional winners. The Exiles victory at Melton was all they needed to move ahead of Aldeburgh, but also Playfords demolition points wise over Hollesley (this being Hollesleys first ever defeat) saw them draw level with Aldeburgh but by virtue of shots difference, saw Playford take 3rd with Aldeburgh squeezed down into 4th (despite leading the league for most of the season!!)

Everything is poised for a tense finale to both the Blyth & Deben Divisions of the Suffolk Coastal Petanque League going into the final round of matches this weekend.

In the Deben Division, only Hollesley are currently guaranteed a Play-Off spot but both Suivre Les Boules Playford and The Exiles Bealings could both pinch a runners-up spot dependent on results. The only team sitting out this weekend is Aldeburgh Boules Club, who have completed their matches, and are relying on a combination of certain results which will see them retain their current second place position at the expense of both Bealings & Playford teams.

The Blyth Division is even more complicated coupled with the recent run of good form shown by The 3 Horseshoes North Cove. They are in third at the moment but again a certain combination of results could see them actually gain the Divisional title but they have both Hoxne PC and Harbour Inn Southwold above them who will both have a great say in the final outcome.

Friday, 15 August 2008

Another two league points were secured by The Three Horseshoes North Cove last night, when they made the journey to The Bell Inn Walberswick and defeated the home side by 3 games to 1. Both sides were still in with a chance of qualifying for the end of season play-offs before the start of the match, so a lot was hanging in the balance for not only these two but the two other sides ahead of them in the league table.

The result sees North Cove leapfrog Walberswick into third place and increases their chances of a top two finish. The Bell Inn end their season facing current leaders Hoxne PC whilst the Hrbour Inn Southwold entertain the in-form North Cove side.

Thursday, 14 August 2008

Whilst other matches were going on in both Divisions, Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton, with their new look side, welcomed Suivre Les Boules Playford to their piste.

The Coach were without a single point so far this season and facing a Playford side harbouring their own ambitions of still reaching a play-off spot. Melton, although starting the season fairly slowly, have steadily improved and with the addition of their new players, achieved a very welcome 2-2 draw and therefore broke their duck.

This result dented Playfords chances and everything in this division will go down to the last two matches due to be played on Sunday August 24th.

Last Sunday, 3 teams were still in the hunt for one play-off spot in the Deben Division, as Hollesley Shepherd & Dog have already qualified. Aldeburgh Boules Club needed a victory over The Exiles to put them into the driving seat but the Bealings team are the only side that have beaten Aldeburgh this season.

Aldeburgh, defending an unbeaten home record, struggled to ever get started and already found themselves 2-0 down at the halfway point. An uphill task was faced in getting the match back to a 2-2 scoreline and indeed it proved to be that way with Aldeburghs luckless display coupled with some good and some interesting shots played by the visitors.

In the end, The Exiles came away with a 3-1 win, leaving Aldeburgh relying on other results whilst giving Bealings the chance to qualify themselves.

Sunday, 10 August 2008

Second placed Harbour Inn made the journey over to The 3 Horseshoes at North Cove for a Blyth Division match earlier this morning. North Cove (currently in a 4 matches in 17 days period) were hoping to go one better than Thursday when they gained their first league point with a 2-2 draw with Bell Inn Walberswick.

With the Southwold team fielding a full 8 person team, North Coves players were always going to have a tough match on their hands, as the Harbour Inn were aiming to reclaim top spot from Hoxne PC as we move into the final few weeks of the regular season.

However it was North Cove doing the celebrations by the end of the match, gaining a 3-1 win with the Horseshoes only narrowly outscoring their opponents 45-41, showing how close the match actually was.

The match does not alter the current positions of either side but does give North Cove a slight glimmer of reaching second place, although both Walberswick & Southwold are above them.

Thursday, 7 August 2008

In their third attempt, the 3 Horseshoes at North Cove secured their first league point of the season with a rather waterlogged 2-2 home draw against visitors, Bell Inn Walberswick, earlier this evening.

According to the North Cove captain, the match was hit by a deluge but it failed to dampen the spirits of the two sides and the match was completed despite the loss of the scorecard through sheer disintegration!

Praise for both sides in completing the match when the easier (and more sensible) approach would have been to run for cover, but they are a hardy bunch in the Blyth Division and didn't let the weather get the better of them.

If anyone is interested, the Aldeburgh Boules Club are hosting the 3rd annual Aldeburgh Carnival Pairs on Saturday 16th August 2008, with a start time of 10.30am.

This is an Open competition and is subject to a £5 returnable deposit. We have to limit the entry to the first 16 registered and pre-paid teams as we cannot guarantee entry on the day. At present we do have spaces left and if you are wanting to enter, you need to e-mail me on imogenlewiskira@sky.com and I will forward your details to the organisers.

The top two in the Blyth Division came face to face last Sunday, with the league leaders Harbour Inn Southwold heading inland to the home of Hoxne PC.

With both sides on equal points whoever won this match would hold first place for the time being. And it was the home side Hoxne who emerged victorious in a 3-1 win, leapfrogging them over the Southwold side.

This week also sees The Bell Inn Walberswick in action against The Three Horseshoes North Cove on Thursday evening, as both sides attempt to close the gap between them and the top two.